Main-chain organometallic microporous polymers bearing triphenylene-tris(N-heterocyclic carbene)-gold species: catalytic properties.

Two triphenylene-based tris(N-heterocyclic carbene)-gold-acetylide main-chain organometallic microporous polymers (MOMPs) were obtained and fully characterized. Both materials show spherical shapes, and their size is highly dependent on the type of acetylene used in the synthetic protocol. The new solids were tested in the catalytic reduction of nitroarenes with NaBH4 and in the three-component Strecker reaction for the synthesis of α-aminonitriles, and showed high activity in both processes. Whereas the activity of the solids in the reduction of nitroarenes may be attributed to the formation of Au nanoparticles due to the use of NaBH4 as reducing agent, the activity in the Strecker reaction may originate from the Lewis acidic activation of the ketone or imine on coordination to Au.